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harmonyharmony
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« Reply #180 on: 09:36:49, 11-02-2008 » |
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have you read 'a suitable boy'?
if so, how long did that take you?
Three days (first time round). But I was ill at the time and so had nothing better to do with my time than read all day (except when I was sleeping). Can't remember how long it took me the second time. I've always been a fast reader. The other day I reread An Equal Music having avoided it since my girlfriend split up with me (mainly because of the last chapters) but found that it shed some light on some aspects of the relationship that I hadn't really considered before (and from her perspective). I finished it on the train and found myself sobbing. It didn't affect me like that the first time around but this time it was carthartic and I felt a lot better afterwards. Not sure I would have been ready for that before now. |
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'is this all we can do?' anonymous student of the University of Berkeley, California quoted in H. Draper, 'The new student revolt' (New York: Grove Press, 1965) http://www.myspace.com/itensemble |
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A
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« Reply #181 on: 15:53:34, 11-02-2008 » |
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oh yes. i'm not a sci-fi fan as a rule, but this really pushes the boundaries, veering into philosophical 'what-if's' and jungian psychology. it really turns the biblical story of christ on its head. well worth a read. cheap, as well.Thanks , I will have a look at it . A |
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Well, there you are.
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Don Basilio
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« Reply #182 on: 15:56:47, 11-02-2008 » |
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Three days (first time round).
Gosh, hh, no wonder they gave you a doctorate. I never managed more than 250 pages on the best day, and was averaging about 200. But I had scenery to look at. |
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To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance
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harmonyharmony
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« Reply #183 on: 16:38:55, 11-02-2008 » |
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Gosh, hh, no wonder they gave you a doctorate.
Well they haven't yet. Still have my corrections to do... |
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'is this all we can do?' anonymous student of the University of Berkeley, California quoted in H. Draper, 'The new student revolt' (New York: Grove Press, 1965) http://www.myspace.com/itensemble |
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harmonyharmony
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« Reply #184 on: 16:50:34, 11-02-2008 » |
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Three days (first time round).
Gosh, hh, no wonder they gave you a doctorate. I never managed more than 250 pages on the best day, and was averaging about 200. But I had scenery to look at. And if fast reading were all that were required I might have finished in three years rather than five! I've got to the stage with Half of a Yellow Sun where I just can't read more than a chapter at a time. It's too upsetting. The combination with The Famished Road is important I think, because it paints the picture of the conflict from a different perspective. I would like to read a novel written from the perspective of the Nigerian Muslims next. Does such a book exist? |
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'is this all we can do?' anonymous student of the University of Berkeley, California quoted in H. Draper, 'The new student revolt' (New York: Grove Press, 1965) http://www.myspace.com/itensemble |
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time_is_now
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« Reply #185 on: 17:59:36, 11-02-2008 » |
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oh yes. i'm not a sci-fi fan as a rule, but this really pushes the boundaries, veering into philosophical 'what-if's' and jungian psychology. it really turns the biblical story of christ on its head. well worth a read. cheap, as well.Sold! Or do I mean bought? Thanks, tonybob. (It's even cheaper here, by the way.) The write-up on play.com makes it sound a bit like Russell Hoban's Pilgermann. Have you read that? Possibly his best novel, of the ones I've read, although Riddley Walker is obviously exceptional (most literally in being quite unlike all the others). |
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The city is a process which always veers away from the form envisaged and desired, ... whose revenge upon its architects and planners undoes every dream of mastery. It is [also] one of the sites where Dasein is assigned the impossible task of putting right what can never be put right. - Rob Lapsley
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richard barrett
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« Reply #186 on: 18:16:50, 11-02-2008 » |
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The write-up on play.com makes it sound a bit like Russell Hoban's Pilgermann. Have you read that? Possibly his best novel, of the ones I've read, although Riddley Walker is obviously exceptional (most literally in being quite unlike all the others).
Behold the Man is in no way whatsoever similar to Pilgermann apart, I suppose, from being a work of fiction written in the English language. I agree though about the latter being the finest novel by Hoban senior. |
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time_is_now
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« Reply #187 on: 18:20:50, 11-02-2008 » |
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Behold the Man is in no way whatsoever similar to Pilgermann apart, I suppose, from being a work of fiction written in the English language. I agree though about the latter being the finest novel by Hoban senior.
Ah well, at least you agree with my opinion about the one I've actually read! It sounds like a surprise is in store for me when Behold the Man arrives. A pleasant one, hopefully. Hoban senior semitone? |
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The city is a process which always veers away from the form envisaged and desired, ... whose revenge upon its architects and planners undoes every dream of mastery. It is [also] one of the sites where Dasein is assigned the impossible task of putting right what can never be put right. - Rob Lapsley
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offbeat
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« Reply #188 on: 22:47:14, 12-02-2008 » |
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A Year At The Races by Jane Smiley
This is not your average racing book but a wonderful book really getting behind the personality of the horse. Jane Smiley had a few horses in training and the way she describes the various characteristics of each animal has a magical effect and gives a whole new perspective to these noble creatures who all seem to have a real personality - great for racing fans or horse lovers alike!!!
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Don Basilio
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« Reply #189 on: 10:49:46, 13-02-2008 » |
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I am reaching the end of William Dalrymple's The Last Mughal, as mentioned elsewhere, an account of the Indian Uprising of 1857 (aka the Indian Mutiny or the First War of Independence, depending on your position). I think Dalrymple is the only contemporary author all of whose published books I have read.
Lots of contemporary material from both British and Indian sources, and Dalrymple's big point that hostility between East and West, Islam and the rest, European and Indian were not inevitable.
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To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance
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Morticia
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« Reply #190 on: 10:56:25, 13-02-2008 » |
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The Last Mughal is sitting atop a pile of books waiting for me to finish with Mr Seth. So, postive feedback then DB?
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Don Basilio
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« Reply #191 on: 10:59:12, 13-02-2008 » |
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I find him very readable. What could be off-putting is his mentioning yet another Indian courtier or British officer as though you should remember who they are from last time, and I can't. Even his long list of characters at the front is not comprehensive. Just plough on.
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To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance
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A
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« Reply #192 on: 19:45:23, 13-02-2008 » |
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I find him very readable. What could be off-putting is his mentioning yet another Indian courtier or British officer as though you should remember who they are from last time, and I can't. Even his long list of characters at the front is not comprehensive. Just plough on.
This is my problem, I can't remember which sex they are either - which makes it even more tricky with Mr Seth!!!! A |
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Well, there you are.
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harmonyharmony
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« Reply #193 on: 19:56:00, 13-02-2008 » |
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I've got to the stage with Half of a Yellow Sun where I just can't read more than a chapter at a time. It's too upsetting. The combination with The Famished Road is important I think, because it paints the picture of the conflict from a different perspective. I would like to read a novel written from the perspective of the Nigerian Muslims next. Does such a book exist?
Finished Half of a Yellow Sun last night and cried. Human beings have the potential to be miraculous but sometimes their inhumanity just seems to boil over and mask every good thing that has ever been achieved. |
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'is this all we can do?' anonymous student of the University of Berkeley, California quoted in H. Draper, 'The new student revolt' (New York: Grove Press, 1965) http://www.myspace.com/itensemble |
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tonybob
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« Reply #194 on: 11:19:12, 14-02-2008 » |
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*just* finished 'A Confederacy of Dunces' by John Kennedy Toole. if you haven't read it, buy it or steal it, and read it now. please. If you don't know the story behind its publication, read here.it really is an original book. wow. just started: Russells's 'History of Western Philosophy'. |
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« Last Edit: 11:31:07, 14-02-2008 by tonybob »
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sososo s & i.
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